Barge or hull



J. D. RAUCH Jan. 18, 1944.

BARGE OR HULL Filed March 31, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet l s sheets-she'd 2 J. 'D. RAUCH 1mm: 0 HULL Filed March :51, 1943 Jan. is, 1944.

v llll llflllllrllllll II II i an Jan. 18, 1944.

J. D. RAUCH BARGE OR HULL Filed March 51, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 18, 1944. J. D. RAUCH I BARGE OR HULL Filed March 51, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 18, D RAUCH BARGE on HULL Filed March 31, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 WWH H H I I HW HH H IW I'LIIII l l l'l ql hlll l Tia-ll Jan. 18, 1944 J, D MUCH 2,339,650

BARGE OR HULL Filed March 51, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet e Patented Jan. 18, 1944 UNITED STTES ()FHCE BARGE 0R HULL Application March 31, 1943, Serial No. 481,338

9 Claims.

The present invention embodies certain novel improvements in barges or vessel hulls and comprises primarily a design of such constructions made up of prefabricated metal sections intended to be shipped in knock-down condition and to be set up or assembled after they have reached the place of use.

A primary object of the invention has been to produce a new design of barge or hull of the class set forth upon which may be mounted a large crane adapted for loading and unloading heavy tanks, guns, or the like, from ships or to ships and which may be readily transported in knock-down condition in the hull of a ship to remote places in the world such as the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, etc., the assemblage of the parts of the barge or hull to be performed with relative speed and facility and the loading crane mounted thereon after the sections or parts of the barge are completely joined together and fastened by bolts so that, if later required, disassembly and re-shipment of the barge may be readily effected.

While it has been heretofore proposed to employ sectional steel barges or hulls of the general type of the present invention, of designs primarily useful in inland Waters, the contemplation of the present invention has been to build the barge or hull of improved and greatly reinforced construction such that it is adapted for use in deep waters and in heavy seas.

With the foregoing in view, therefore, it is contemplated in the carrying out of the present invention that the barge or hull shall comprise water-tight bulkheads both transverse and longitudinal in relation to the barge or hull body. In the preferred adaptation of the invention the longitudinal bulkheads are so designed and constructed as to provide continuous girders notwithstanding that said bulkheads are broken at intervals by the transverse bulkheads. The method of combining the transverse and longitudinal bulkheads, however, may be such that the longitudinal bulkheads are continuous and the transverse bulkheads broken thereby but constituted as continuous transverse girders since the principles of combining these bulkheads by the above modes of construction are substantially the same.

Another novel feature of this invention lies in the peculiar manner of constructing and assem bling the deck and bottom of the hull or barge by the provision of deck and bottom panels of at least two different lengths such that the longer and shorter panels are disposed in staggered relation as respects the joined portions thereof, with regard to the adjacent corresponding panel units, thus to afford increased rigidity in deck and bottom construction.

Another feature of construction of the present proposed barge or hull includes the feature of special stiffening means for the bow. and stern sections for reinforcing of the same against towing in heavy seas.

The invention is equally adapted for use in the building of aircraft carriers'or like vessels.

Another novel feature is the design of the solid foundation for supporting the concentrated weight of a crane mounted on the deck.

A further novel phase of the design of the present proposed barge and hull construction includes the formation of the panels comprising the deck and bottom members in conjunction with the panels forming the side plates such that the transverse joints of the deck and bottom plates and the vertical joints of the side plates are staggered or located at intervals out of alignment with one another, whereby additional stiffening of the structure as a whole is afforded. In addition, the joints of the transverse and longitudinal bulkhead members are likewise staggered with respect to the joints of the various bottom deck and panel members so that further additional strengthening and rigidity of the hull is effected. More simply stated, the purpose of the construction generally is to join the various panel members comprising the hull as a whole in such a manner as to prevent any joint receiving great stress thereon from constituting a common joint with respect to the deck and bottom panels and the hull side panels, as well as the longitudinal and transverse bulkhead members.

The invention involves other novel details of construction and design that will appear more fully hereinafter as exemplified in the disclosure of the following detail description and by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 illustrates one half of the barge in side elevation and Figure 2 illustrates the adjacent half of the barge or hull in longitudinal vertical section, the two halves to be assembled according to the disclosure hereinafter for constituting the complete barge or hull body.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the deck of the barge or hull showing approximately a three-quarter section thereof partly broken away.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the bottom construction illustrating the strengthening means for the bow or stern section and additional plate members for forming the longitudinal bulkhead girder section.

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view showing the position of the longitudinal bulkheads and the manner of joining the same with the top and bottom panel members constituting the deck and bottom sections, and likewise illustrating the manner of joining adjacent ends of the deck and bottom panel. Additionally, the mode of joining the longitudinal bulkheads by stiffening plates or members, is shown.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic illustration fra mentary in nature, illustrating the method of joining the longitudinal bulkheads and transverse bulkheads, and in addition discloses the relationship which the deck and bottom panel members at their various joints bear with rerespect to the bulkhead members.

Figures 7 and 8 are fragmentary views illustrating the mode of joining the longitudinal bulkhead adjacent to the transverse bulkhead by the stiffening plates or members.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of certain of the longitudinal bulkhead members, illustrating the means of stiffening the same, and manholes therein.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of one of the transverse bulkhead members, illustrating the mode of strengthening the same and the means of connecting the longitudinal bulkheads thereto.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of one of the deck panels, illustrating the means of strengthening the same at the points of engagement of gusset plates therewith. This figure is likewise illustrative of a bottom panel member since the deck and bottom panel members are generally substantially the same.

Figure 12 is an end view of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the stiffening or strengthening plate members in their relationship with respect to the bottom of the hull, and likewise showing the mode of connection of the transverse bulkheads at their inner ends.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view showing the means of connecting a transverse bulkhead at an intermediate point with a deck panel.

Figure 15 is a View taken transverse to Figwe 14.

Figure 16 is a. side elevational view of a barge or hull body of the general structure of the invention.

Figure 17 is a view taken on the line |1--l1 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 18 is a view taken on the line l8-IB of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring generally to Figures 1, 2, and 16, it will be seen that the barge or hull comprises a body conforming generally in outline or shape to the customary constructions at present in use, having deck portion I, the bottom 2, sloping ends 3 and 4, and sides 5, the sides 5 being illustrated in Figure 1 as formed with stiffening members 6 disposed longitudinally thereof and which may be preferably welded to the plates or panel outsides of said side members 5.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the deck I is made up of a series of transverse deck panels, long panels 1 and shorter panels 8. These panels are assembled end for end and side by side, so that the long panels are immediately joined at the sides by short panels thus to effect a staggering of the joints between the ends of the panels. Figure 3 illustrates in dotted lines the longitudinal bulkhead 9 and the transverse bulkhead Iii, details of the method of connecting which will be more fully described. The location of the transverse bulkheads is intentionally such that the same are out of line with respect to the transverse joined portions at the side edges of the deck panels and likewise the location of the longitudinal bulkheads disposes them similarly out of line with any of the joined ends of the panels of the deck I.

It is to be understood that the bottom of the hull is constructed similarly to the deck with reference to the above features and the arrangement of the panels thereof with relation to the transverse and longitudinal bulkheads, so that, generally speaking, Figure 3 depicts the bottom assembly of panels as well as that for the deck I. Figure 3 also shows that the sides 5 of the hull are likewise made up Of a series of joined panels see also Figure 1, and the vertical transverse joints between the panels of the sides are again intentionally disaligned as respects the adjacent transverse joined portions of the deck and bottom panels.

Figure 4 illustrates in greater details the relationship of the joints of the bottom panel member, and likewise shows the position of the stiffening plates II which, in conjunction with the longitudinal bulkheads, plates, or panels, form a continuous girder construction, hereinbefore referred to. The construction illustrated in Figure 4 showing the bottom 2 formation for the hull may be generally said to made up of the bottom panels l2 and 13, the first being a long panel member and the latter a short one. The joints adjacent the ends of the long and short panel members will be designated l4 and the transverse joints will be designated l5.

On the upper surfaces of the panel members l2 and it are transverse angle members [6, being welded thereto as illustrated in Figure 2, with a leg of the angle plates being welded to the surface of the plate members comprising the body of the panel. The joints M are formed by abutting angle members, seen best in Figure 17', designated Ma. and Mb. The transverse joints I?) are similarly constituted of channel members |5a and 1519. It will be understood that the various joints of the bottom panel members above referred to will be connected together by means of bolts l1, and between the fiat surfaces of the channel members comprising the joints, suitable water-proofing material will be provided, such as oakum, or the like, including continuous gaskets.

Further describing the construction of the bottom, generally referred to, Figure 8 more clearly sets forth the disposition of the bottom panel members, the joints l5 between the panel members, the angle plates 16 on the upper surfaces of the panel members, and the position of the transverse bulkhead It. This transverse bulkhead lll, as shown in Figure 8, is additionally illustrated in Figure 10, wherein it will be seen that the panel of the bulkhead illustrated is equipped with a series of vertical angle plates I8 welded thereto for rigidifying or reinforcing the panel vertically, and said panel likewise is shown to be equipped with spaced vertical angle plate is and 20 between which is to be received the longitudinal bulkhead panel plate at the end vertical edge thereof. As shown in Figme 10, the particlular transverse bulkhead panel depicted extends one-half the width of the hull when disposed in its operative position to make up the said bulkhead. Likewise, on the inner end of said panel H1 is welded a connector plate 2!, the function of which will be more fully apparent by reference to the diagrammatic view, Figure 6. As seen in Figure 6, the connector plate 2! will be bolted to a similar connector plate 2i on the aligned bulkhead panel extending transverse of the hull and which, with the panel lfl illustrated in Figure 10, provides the complete transverse bulkhead which is one of a series of such bulkheads appropriately spaced from one another longitudinally of the hull. As also seen in Figure 6, it is contemplated that the transverse bulkhead panels that make up the bulkheads it shall be provided at properly spaced intervals with angle plates is and 2t previously described for receiving therebetween the vertical edge of the longitudinal bulkhead 9 made up of a series of bulkhead panels much the same as the transverse bulkheads lil previously described. Suitable bolts 22 join the plates 2| at the joint portions between the panels ll] of the transverse bulkhead member and similar bolts 23 pass through the angle plates I8 and 2G to connect the same with adjacent longitudinal bulkhead plate members 9, the latter extending from the transverse bulkhead plate members it on opposite sides of the same.

The manner in which the panel or plate members of the longitudinal bulkheads E! are connected together to provide a continuous girder structure is illustrated in Figures '7, 8, 9 and 13 primarily. Referring to Figure also, it is notable that above the plates l9 and the panel members It are formed with notches 24 for receiving longitudinal butt bars or stiffening members 25 bolted to horizontal angle plates 26 on the opposite longi udinal upper edges of the bulkhead panel members or plates 9 by means of bolts 3?.

Figure 7 shows how the deck panels of the deck I are supported above the longitudinal and transverse bulkhead; and, describing this feature, it is notable that upper edges of the members If! project sufficiently to enable bolting or fastening thereto as by bolts 23, the channel members 29 attached by welding to the underside of the deck panels I. In this manner the deck panels are directly attached to the upper edges of the transverse bulkhead plates or panels Ill.

Passing now to Figure 8, the assembly of the bottom portions of the longitudinal and transverse bulkheads with the bottom 2 of the hull is illustrated. In this figure there is shown the butt bar H connecting the lower edge portions of adjacent longitudinal bulkhead panels or plates to afford the through girder construction previously described with reference to Figure 4 that also generally indicates the location of said butt bars or stiffening members I I. The lower edges of the longitud nal bulkhead plates or panels are equipped with welded angle plates 36, to which the butt bars 9 l are secured by bolts 3!. As seen in Figure 8, the butt bar ll passes through a rectangular opening in the channel member 32, which in tum is welded at its lower flange to the upper surface of the bottom 2 panel adjacent thereto. Likewise, the channel 32 is attached rigidly to the transverse bulkhead Hl as by bolts 33, the whole affording an exceedingly rigid, as well as water-tight, connection having the characteristic reinforcing action of a girder.

The deck panels that are to be used for strengthening the bow and stern portions of the hull, by attaching gusset plates thereto, will preferably be constructed as shown in Figure 11, and any required number of these panels may be employed. This particular deck panel 1 for the purpose stated will be made up of a fiat plate provided on its underside with channel member 34. Near one edge of the panel i there are provided a series of short channels 35 which brace and reinforce certain of the transverse channels 3d which are disposed longitudinally of the panel. The channels 3d and 35 are welded at their upper portions to the underside of the plate of the panel l, The hole in the panel '7 is a manhole. At its ends the deck panel member 'I has welded thereto angle plates 3i so that the end portions of each panel i may be fastened by bolts 38 to the corresponding adjacent contacting angle plates of an associated panel 7.

As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the manner of connecting the transverse bulkhead members ill to the channel members 35 of the deck panel sections which includes suitable bolts 39 is resorted to where the transverse bulkhead is viewed at a position other than that shown in Figure '7, namely, adjacent the connection of the longitudinal and transverse bulkheads. Figure 15 more particularly illustrates the manner of connection to ends of the deck panel members i and 8, as by means of the bolts at shown in said figure passing through angle plates 3'5, previously referred to.

The constructional features shown in Figure 14 may be adapted to the bottom construction of the hull for the connection of the bottom panels with the transverse bulkhead ll excepting that the parts are substantially inverted. In reference to the connections between the longitudinal bulkhead and transverse bulkhead, as seen diagrammatically in Figure 6, the parts in detail are shown by an enlarged illustration in Figure 13.

It is to be understood that for purposes of shipment, various deck sections, bottom sectic-11s, end 56L ens, side sections, and bulkhead sections are disposed in flat condition and superposed to economize space. When the shipment of the various parts of the hull reache the place of use these various sections are all set up in the relations illustrated in the drawings and bolted together where indicated. Suitable waterproofing material will be placed between necessary joints whereby the various bulkhead spaces will be individually water-tight, and whereby, in fact, all joints are intended to be rendered water-tight. When the various section or parts of the hull are bolted together, they can of course be taken apart again, shipped a greater or less distance to another place cf use, and then assembled as before.

If the hull structure is intended to be put together for permanent connection of all parts, rivets in lieu of bolts, or ordinary welding technique may be resorted to for connecting up various sections in their relation of use.

The ends of the hull are specially braced as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 by utilizing the diagonal brace M attached at its opposite ends to gusset plates 42 and '33. Additionally, other gusset plates it and would be employed to strengthen the end structure at the angles thereof joining the deck and bottom units.

Where a crane base is to be supported on the deck, the deck panels are constructed so as to include therein H beams in place of one of the channels 34, and will be incorporated in said panels at appropriate positions so as to directly support the major portion of the weight of said base. These H beams will in turn be directly supported upon the transverse and longitudinal bulkheads 9 andlll so that the Weight will in turn be additionally supported thereby and properly distributed with respect to the bottom of the hull or barge.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A barge or hull consisting of a body comprising a deck, bottom, ends, and sides, in combination with transverse bulkheads and longitudinal bulkheads, the transverse bulkheads extending crosswise of the body at intervals in its length, the longitudinal bulkheads being disposed in a line to intersect the transverse bulkheads and comprising bulkhead plates united at adjacent edges to a transverse bulkhead at opposite sides of the latter, and butt plates extending across the upper and lower edge portions of a transverse bulkhead and united with the adjacent end portions of the longitudinal bulkhead plates for establishing a through girder construction for the longitudinal bulkhead.

2. A hull or barge construction as claimed in claim 1, in which the transverse and longitudinal bulkhead plates are united to th deck and bottom of the body, the upper portions of the transverse bulkheads being cut out or notched from the upper edge portions thereof to provide spaces through which the girder butt plates connecting the longitudinal bulkhead plates extend.

3. A construction of hull or barge as claimed in claim 1, combined With channel members carried on the bottom of the hull and extending transversely of the hull adjacent the lower edge of the transverse bulkhead and joined thereto.

4. A hull or barge construction as claimed in claim 1, in which the transverse and longitudinal bulkhead plates are united to the deck and bottom of the body, the upper portions of the transverse bulkheads being cut out or notched from the upper edge portions thereof to provide spaces through which the girder butt plates connectin the longitudinal bulkhead plates extend, combined with panel members carried on the bottom of the hull and extending transversely of the hull adjacent the lower edge of the transverse bulkhead and joined thereto.

5. In a hull or barge consisting of a body comgitudinal bulkhead having its lower edges resting upon the said angle plates on the bottom and comprising bulkhead plates, a transverse bulkhead extending across the bottom between the vertical edges of the longitudinal bulkhead plates and united to said transverse channel plate, and butt plates extending across the said channel plate and united to the lower edges of the longitudinal bulk head plates at opposite sides of the transverse bulkhead to provide a girder structure.

6. A hull or barge as claimed in claim 5, wherein the transverse and longitudinal bulkheads are united to the deck by substantially the same parts as unite the same to the bottom.

7. A hull or barge as claimed in claim 5, in which the longitudinal bulkhead plates are combined with vertical angle plates disposed at intervals throughout the length thereof and wherein the transverse bulkheads are equipped with vertical angle plates for vertical reinforcement thereof.

8. In a hull or barge consisting of a body comprising a bottom and deck, said deck including transverse deck panels disposed in end for end arrangement and side by side, the said panels transversely of the body being aligned and one panel longer than the other, the long panels extending alternately from one side of the hull and the short panels extending alternately from the other side of the hull, whereby the inner joined portions of the panels are staggered as to the joint connections, combined with longitudinal bulkheads between the deck and bottom and disposed at intervals transversely of the body and out of alignment longitudinally respecting the longitudinal connecting joints between the deck panels.

9. In a hull or barge consisting of a body com prising a bottom and deck, said deck including transverse deck panels disposed in end for end arrangement and side by side, the said panels transversely of the body being aligned and one panel longer than the other, the long panels extending alternately from one side of the hull and the short panels extending alternately from the other side of the hull, whereby the inner joined portions of the panels are staggered as to the joint connections, combined with longitudinal bulkheads between the deck and bottom and disposed at intervals transversely of the body and out of alignment longitudinally respecting the longitudinal connecting joints between the deck panels, together with transverse bulkheads between the deck and bottom of the body disposed at intervals between the ends of the body and crossing the deck panels at intervals other than the location of the transverse joints between the deck panels.

JOHN D. RAUCH. 

